Oil-boom repair and reconfiguration system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for repairing and reconfiguring an oil containment boom, using end connectors and attached curtain members in various arrangements to form outer booms, inner booms, extending booms, and transverse booms for added safety and protection and for an enhanced ability to contain, collect, and recover spilled oil contaminates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to my previously-filed application Ser. No.15/147,350 for a “Patch System and Method for Oil Boom,” filed May 5,2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,124 on Jan. 24, 2017, which is acontinuation of my application Ser. No. 14/564,757 for a “Patch Systemand Method for Oil Boom,” filed Dec. 9, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,410,301 on Aug. 9, 2016, the full disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a system and method for repairing and reconfiguring anoil containment boom, using end connectors and attached curtain membersin various arrangements to form outer booms, inner booms, extendingbooms, and transverse booms for added safety and protection and for anenhanced ability to contain, collect, and recover spilled oilcontaminates.

Due to an increase in oil production and oil transportation, there is anincrease in accidental oil spills. Oil spills can be both devastatingand disastrous to ecological and marine environments, and can alsoaffect physical resources, as well as a wide range of organisms that arelinked in a complex food chain. This food chain also includes human foodresources that are essential.

Oil spills can harm living things because its chemical constituents arepoisonous. Various types of freshwater and marine habitats that exist innature have different sensitivities to the harmful effects of oilcontamination, as well as different abilities to recuperate. Althoughsome organisms may be seriously injured or killed very soon aftercontact with the oil in a spill, other effects are subtler and may oftenbe longer lasting. For example, freshwater organisms are at risk ofbeing smothered by oil that is carried by the current, or of beingslowly poisoned by long-term exposure to oil trapped in shallow water orstream beds. In addition, oil can potentially have catastrophic effectson birds and mammals.

Oil spills can happen in open seas, as well in navigable waterways.Damage to even a moderate sized oil tanker can result in the leakage ofthousands of barrels of oil into the waters around the tanker. Ablow-out in an off-shore oil rig can also result in disastrous damage tothe environment, as well as the economy. Moreover, when such oil spillsoccur close to a shoreline, the danger of damaging fragile environmentalecosystems is considerably higher.

One method for controlling the damage of an oil spill is with the use ofoil-containment systems, where inflatable “booms” surround the spilluntil the oil can be collected. Boom systems prevent the spill fromexpanding or reaching a protected area, such as a shoreline, until itcan be collected by mechanical means.

A typical boom system employs a plurality of boom sections joined end toend. Each boom section includes a plurality of parallel inflatablechambers that are joined with a weighted curtain, and the boom sectionsare connected by a cable on top and by a weight member (such as a chain)on the bottom. However, because boom systems can remain in water forlong periods of time, there are incidents where boom sections becomedamaged. This damage can either be caused by objects in the water, or bystrong water currents. A damaged boom can be just as disastrous as theoriginal oil spill itself; for example, a tear in a boom can no longercontain the oil, nor can it prevent oil from reaching a shoreline.

To help detect damaged booms, environmental protection agencies requirethat boom systems be regularly inspected. Thus, if a breach occurs, theboom must be repaired on site. Furthermore, some repairs require removalof an entire boom section, which can span over 100 ft in length.Ideally, once a boom section is removed, another boom section is broughtin to replace it. However, the time needed to remove and replace a boomsection of such an enormous length can take hours. Further, once thedamaged boom section is removed, contaminated water will again be ableto flow freely upon the shoreline. As indicated above, such a free flowof contaminated water could be disastrous, as miles of shoreline andwildlife would again be at risk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a system and method for repairing andreconfiguring an oil containment boom, using end connectors and attachedcurtain members in various arrangements to form outer booms, innerbooms, extending booms, and transverse booms for added safety andprotection and for an enhanced ability to contain, collect, and recoverspilled oil contaminates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative marsh environment in which the disclosedembodiments may be employed;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the boom repair system of the presentinvention positioned upon an existing boom section;

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative view of the boom repair system of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side and top view, respectively, of an endconnector;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate methods of attachment of the boom repairsystem of the present invention to an existing boom;

FIG. 6 illustrates the compatibility to a universal boom connector;

FIG. 7 illustrates a locked end connector of boom repair system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form an outer boom on an oil boom protecting a rookery;

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form an outer boom on an oil boom surrounding an oil spill;

FIG. 10 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form an opening and closing gateway between oil booms;

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form an inner boom on an oil boom surrounding an oil spill;

FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form an extending boom perpendicular to a shoreline;

FIG. 13 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form a cascade of transverse booms in a flowing channel; and

FIG. 14 illustrates the use of the oil-boom repair and reconfigurationsystem to form a chevron shape in an oil boom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problems and issues identified in the above Background are at leastpartly addressed by the apparatus, system, and methods disclosed herein.An apparatus for boom repair includes at least one end connector and acurtain attached to the end connector. The curtain is attached betweentwo end connectors. The end connectors are also used to attach thecurtain to a damaged, existing boom via an opening slot in theconnector. The system for repairing of replacing an existing boomincludes forming a tight seal between the curtain and existing boom.

The method for reinforcing a boom includes connecting one end of acurtain to an existing boom, and connecting another end of the samecurtain to the same, existing boom. Both connections are secured inplace by sliding the end connectors over the existing boom at separateareas that covers the damaged section of the existing boom. Next, theend connectors are locked in place via a lock-pin mechanism. Thislocking creates a tight seal over the damaged area, creating a “patch”to keep out oil contaminants from the protected area. The disclosedinvention can accordingly be used to repair, patch, or reinforce anexisting oil containment boom.

The disclosed apparatus, system, and methods are best understood in asuitable usage context. Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a marshenvironment 102 located along a shoreline that would require protectionfrom contaminated waters 104. The existing boom 108 is attempting toprovide protection of the marsh environment 102. The existing boom 108includes one or more floatation members 110 to provide buoyancy in thewater. The existing boom 108 also includes a weighted member, such as achain 112 to connect a boom section 113 to other boom sections or to endanchors 114. The chain 112 also serves the purpose of weighing down thecurtain 116 area of the existing boom. Anchor points can be createdevery 50 ft along the length of the existing boom 108 by attachinganchors 114 to the chain 112 in spaced intervals. Boom sections 113 cantypically be about 100 ft long in length.

Because booms 108 can remain in waters for long periods of time, thereare incidents where booms 108 become damaged, as illustrated by thedamaged area 118. The damaged area 118 can be created or caused by avariety of factors. Also, there can be a number of problems that wouldbe classified as damage. For example, a boom can become torn, which maybe caused by random objects in the water, by strong water currents, orso forth. Another common failure that could create a damage area 118 isan excess of contaminated matter that had saturated the boom. Asaturated boom losses buoyancy and can begin to sink, and thus a boomdamaged due to saturation will not provide the proper protection neededfrom contaminated waters 104. Further, a damaged area 118 on a boom canallow contaminated waters 104 to reach the marsh environment 102 andshoreline, causing considerable damage to the vegetation and wild life.

Conventional repairs normally require removal of an entire damaged boomsection 113, which could be about 100 ft in length. The replacement ofan entire damaged boom section 113 could take hours to complete. Duringreplacement of the boom section 113, contaminated waters 104 will beable to flow freely toward the marsh environment 102 and shoreline.Substantial damage may additionally occur to the marsh environment 102by the contaminated waters 104 during replacement of the entire boomsection 113. The present invention is accordingly constructed to serveas a repair or “patch” system to the damaged area 118 of the existingboom 108, thus providing protection of the marsh environment 102 andshoreline from contaminated waters 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an oil boom repair system 201 attached to an existingboom 202 affected by a damage area 203. The existing boom 202 includes aplurality of buoyant floatation members 204 to provide buoyancy in thewater. The existing boom 202 also includes a weighted member, such as achain 206, that connects adjacent boom sections to each other. The oilboom repair system 201 is attached to the existing boom 202 by endconnectors 208. The oil boom repair system 201 includes a curtain member210 that is also weighed down by chains 211. The curtain 210 alsoincludes a flotation member 213 in its top portion. The floatationmember 213 is sealed inside the curtain member. In the preferredembodiment, the floatation member can be of cylindrical configurationand formed from closed cell foam. The curtain member 210 is part of theoil boom repair system 201, and is securely attached to the endconnectors 208. The end connectors are locked in place by the rigidlocking bars 215. The curtain member 210 is formed fromliquid-impermeable materials, such as vinyl. Alternatively, the curtain210 can be made of any flexible material with relatively high tensilestrength and sheer strength that is liquid-impermeable.

In the preferred embodiment, the end connectors 208 are designed andbuilt with a 45-degree plane that helps the curtain 210 of the oil boomrepair system 201 to create a tight seal 205 upon the damage area 203 ofthe existing boom 202. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the damagearea 203 is shown as a tear in the boom. However, it should be notedthat the oil boom repair system 201 can be used to repair other types ofdamages that would occur. In fact, the oil boom repair system 201 isable to reinforce an existing boom 202 as needed. Moreover, wind andwater currents, which may have initially caused the damage area 203, cannow be used to help secure placement of the oil boom repair system 201,as well as help form a tight seal 205 of the curtain 210 of the oil boomrepair system 201 upon the existing boom 202. Additional support is alsoprovided via the extra set of weighted chains 211 of the oil boom repairsystem 201. Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure can be addedover a small area of an existing boom or to a large area over hundredsof feet in length.

FIG. 3 is a closer view of the oil boom repair system 201, whichincludes a pair of mirror image end connectors 208 supporting a curtainmember 210. The curtain member 210 includes a top portion with one ormore flotation members 213 secured thereto. The top portion is providedwith a small opening for a cable 217 to run through, and a bottomportion 220 supporting a weighted chain 211. The curtain member 210 canbe made of vinyl material, which will help block oil, trash, and debrisin contaminated waters. If properly maintained, the durable oil boomrepair system may provide years of service to oil boom sections.

In the preferred embodiment, the curtain member 210 hangs below thesurface of the water at a little over twelve inches to keep pollutantsfrom creeping under the spill containment boom section. The flotationmember(s) 213 in the top area keeps the oil boom repair system 201 floatat the water line, and the lower portion 220 is used to support theweighted ballast, such as chain 211 that exerts a downward force on thecurtain member 210 below the surface of the water. In one aspect of theinvention, the oil boom repair system 201 utilizes a galvanized steelchain 211 to run through the length of the curtain member 210, thusadding weight and additional rigidity to the boom.

The floatation member(s) 213 is sealed inside the curtain. In one of theembodiments, each floatation member is shaped as a cylinder and formedof closed cell foam. The curtain member 210 has sufficient longitudinaland vertical dimensions to cover the damaged section when stretchedbetween the first end connector and the second end connector that havebeen engaged with the boom. Although different colors could be used, oneof the embodiments of the oil boom repair system 201 may have a yellowcurtain member 210, so that the oil boom repair system 201 system can beeasily located in any weather.

Conveniently, the oil boom repair system 201 can be designed at anylength to suit the needs of the damaged area of the existing boom. Theadjustable length can be obtained through the use of conventional,universal slide connectors 315. FIG. 3 shows the use of these universalslide connectors 315 at the center of the curtain member 210, as well asat the ends of the curtain member between the curtain member 210 and theend connector 208. The universal slide connectors 315 can be made frommarine-grade aluminum, and are constructed to hold hydrocarbons ordebris from getting through in the areas where boom sections areconnected. The oil boom repair system 201 can be deployed by operators317 by having the operators 317 attach it to the existing oilcontainment booms from a floating vessel or stationary docks withinminutes. The oil boom repair system 201 can be used in marinas, inlandwaterways, and in harbors.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the end connector 208 in more detail. Inparticular, FIG. 4A illustrates a side view, and FIG. 4B shows a topview of the end connector of the oil boom repair system 201. As can beseen in the drawings, the end connector 208 comprises a pair ofintegrally unitary connected elongated planar portions 402 and 406. Thefirst portion 402 is inclined in relation to a normal plane 403 of thesecond portion 406; the angle of inclination designated as “a” in FIG.4B can be 45-degrees. This 45-degree angle on the end connector helps toprovide a tight curtain-to-curtain seal and attachment of the oil boomrepair system to an existing boom. However, other embodiments orvariations may use a different angle. Wind and water currents alsofacilitate secure placement of the oil boom repair system, as well ashelp in forming a tight seal of the curtains of the oil boom repairsystem and of the existing boom.

In one of the exemplary embodiments, each end connectors 208 is about 30inches in height, 10 inches in length, and 1 inch in width. Each endconnector 208 can be made of marine grade aluminum.

A T-shaped slot 404 is formed in the second portion 406. The slot 404extends from a bottom edge 405 a distance upwardly along the height ofthe end connector portion 406. A first part 409 of the slot 404 extendslongitudinally upwardly from the bottom edge 405, and a boom-receivingopening 408 is defined by the bottom of the slot 404. The first part 409of the slot 404 can be about 0.5-inches in width.

A second part 410 of the slot 404 is formed transversely to thelongitudinal part 409 a distance from an upper edge 412 of the body. Thesecond part 410 has sufficient width to allow an operator 317 to graspthe end connector 208 when positioning or removing the end connector 208from the oil containment boom. In one exemplary embodiment, thetransverse part 410 of the slot 404 can be 3.5 inches in length to alloweasy handling of the end connector 208.

A rigid locking bar 407 is pivotally secured to a lower part of theportion 406 a distance from the elongated slot 404. This locking bar 407is used for locking and securing the end connector 208 to an existingboom by securing the rigid locking bar 407 to bottom of the endconnector portion 406 to close the slot opening 408 via a lock-pinmechanism after the end connector 208 has been positioned on the damagedoil containment boom.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate methods of attachment of the oil boom repairsystem end connector 208 to an existing boom 202. As shown, theattachment of the oil boom repair system end connector 208 to anexisting boom 202 is relatively simple and can be completed in minutes.An operator 505 slides the end connector 208 of the oil boom repairsystem over the existing boom 202 using the slot 404. The existing boom202 (although damaged or saturated) has a curtain 116 and weighted chain206, as shown in FIG. 5A. The method for repairing or reinforcing a boomincludes connecting one end connector 208 and a second mirror image endconnector to the existing boom 202 on another side of the damaged areaof the boom 202. Next, the installation method includes locking the endconnectors 208 in place via a lock-and-pin mechanism 407 by an operator505, as shown in FIG. 5B. The lock and pin mechanism secures the oilboom repair system in place, and allows the repair to withstand strongwind and water currents.

FIG. 6 illustrates the compatibility of the end connectors with auniversal boom connector 601. Under this embodiment, the operator 603simply slides the end connector 208 into the universal boom connector601 and secures it in place. This feature of the invention makes it easyand suitable for other users in the oil boom containment industry. Thecurtain member 210 of the oil boom repair system includes and is alreadysewn or securely clamped onto a universal boom connector 601, similar toa typical, existing boom section. Next, the universal boom connector 601slides onto the end connector 208. Typical connectors can be providedwith the various jaw configurations by mating two connectors together.Typical connector/jaw configurations are defined by the American Societyfor Testing and Materials (ASTM) and also by industrial configurations.The present embodiment is compatible with connectors 601 that includetwo flat plates bolted through a fabric member, wherein a connecting jawor other connecting interface is utilized to mate two connectors at thejunction of the two boom sections. The present embodiment supplies agood connection that is secure and strong, and accordingly prevents oilleaks. The connection between the oil boom repair system end connector208 and the universal connector 601 is important, because common failureof the oil boom is often at the connector.

The oil boom repair system's compatible end connector 208 is alsoconstructed to be easy to manipulate. This is particularly importantbecause rough weather make connections very difficult to maintain. Inthe preferred embodiment, the oil boom repair system end connector 208is compatible with typical oil boom connectors that are extruded fromaluminum alloy, and fabricated to standard oil boom connector lengths(12-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch or 36-inch lengths). The oil boom repairsystem end connector 208 is fabricated to connect with standardbolt-hole pattern plates. The present embodiment is compatible withstandard industry connectors 601, which may be either male or female.The oil boom repair system end connector 208 is also designed to meettypical ASTM standards, and is designed to be compatible with otherconnection profiles, including “Z” connectors and light duty mini-slideconnectors.

FIG. 6 also illustrates the pin 604 and chain 605 of the lockingmechanism for securing the oil boom repair system end connector 208 toan existing boom. The pin 604 and chain 605 are linked to a pivotal,rigid locking bar 407 that rotates to open and close the T-shaped slot404 of the end connector 208. The rigid locking bar 407 is pivotallysecured to a lower part of the second planar portion 406 a distance fromthe elongated slot. The locking bar 407 pivots about a pivot pin 609,which extends through the locking bar and is secured to the endconnector portion 406. The locking bar 407 carries a flexible securingmember, for instance chain 605, suspended from the locking bar 407 andconfigured for free pivotal movement about the pivot pin 609. As shownin FIG. 6, a free end of the securing chain carries a locking pin 604.An aperture 610 is formed in the locking bar 407 a distance from thepivot pin 609, and a corresponding opening 611 is formed in the secondplanar portion of the rigid body of the end connector 208. The lockingpin 604 is configured for engagement within the aperture 610 of thelocking bar 606 and the opening 611 in second portion 406 when thelocking bar 407 is pivoted to align the aperture 610 and the opening611. The locking bar 407 detachably secures the boom repair member onthe portion of the oil containment boom, while preventing disengagementof the end connectors from the oil containment boom. When engaged withthe boom, the locking bar extends under the boom.

In alternative embodiments, the attachment or connecting portion of thepresent invention is made of a material having endurance and strengthwith respect to a mechanical load such as bending, tensile, compression,and kink, taking use in sea or waterways into consideration. It isdesired that the entire oil boom repair system (including the endconnectors) has lightweight materials, except the bottom portion of thecurtain.

FIG. 7 illustrates a locked end connector 208. The end connector 702 canbe fabricated as any type of lightweight non-corrosive material, such asmarine-grade aluminum. The T-shaped slot 404 allows for easymanipulation and installation by an operator. The slot 404 also allowsfor a top cable to pivot, and not bind up. In this illustration,bolt-receiving openings 450 can be seen spaced along a vertical edge 452of the first portion 402. The openings 450 are designed to match spacedopenings on the universal boom connector 601, as described above.

The elongated member or locking bar 407 closes the opening slot 404 ofthe end connector 208 after it is placed upon an existing boom. Theopening slot 404 is closed and secured by the lock-and-pin mechanism. Inthe present invention, different embodiments can utilize various lockingmechanisms. For example, the end connector 208 can be secured and lockedinto place via a hitch pin (or any variation). These are simple forms ofhardware used to temporarily mount or conjoin mating components.Virtually any type of pin requires at least one predrilled hole that ismeant to hold and retain the end connector 208 with two mating segmentsare aligned and then held in position by the pin 604. In order to helpprevent the loss of the pin 604, a 6-inch chain 605 connects the pin 604to the rigid locking bar member 407. Other embodiments can utilize adifferent chain length, as needed.

In one embodiment, a hitch pin (as well as a clevis pin) requires anadditional cotter pin inserted perpendicularly to lock the pin inposition. In other embodiments, lynch pins, detent pins, snapper pins,safety spring pins, and toggle pins all contain integral lockingmechanisms. Like other pins, these mechanisms are meant to resist shearforces, which make them fundamentally different than bolts and screws.These mechanisms may be used as shear pins in mechanical overloadsituations.

As discussed via the presented embodiments, the oil boom repair systemcan be applied to existing booms that are already deployed in the openwaters. The quick application makes it efficient, and avoids exposingshoreline to oil contaminants. The quick application also makes it lessdifficult to deploy during bad weather and stormy seas. Further, the oilboom repair system of the present invention makes it easier to improvetechniques used to clean up an oil spill, thus cutting down responsetime. This efficient application contributes to the protection ofvarious environments, including open seas, coastal waters, and wetlands.Pollution-control measures, such as containment and removal of the oil(by skimming, filtering, and so forth), are improved with use andavailability of the oil boom repair system.

Oil spill countermeasures to clean up and remove the oil are selectedand applied based on many interrelated factors, including ecologicalprotection, socioeconomic effects, and health risk. It is important tohave contingency plans in place in order to deploy pollution controlpersonnel and equipment efficiently. The rate of recovery of theenvironment when an oil spill occurs depends on factors such as oilcomposition and resource availability. The presented embodiments hereingreatly improve the resources available for oil spill clean-up andcontainment.

Different embodiments for oil boom repair system are presented. In atleast one embodiment, the oil boom repair system for boom repairincludes two mirror image end connectors with a portion fabricated at45-degrees from the plane surface of the other portion. The flexibleliquid-impermeable curtain member is attached between the two rigid endconnectors. The end connectors are also used to attach the oil boomrepair system to a damaged, existing boom via the end connector'sopening slot. This presented disclosure is used for repairing ofreinforcing an existing boom by forming a tight seal between the curtainand existing boom with the use of the angled end connectors.

Another embodiment presented introduced a suitable application method.This embodiment includes connecting one end connector of the instant oilboom repair system to an existing boom and engaging it to an existingboom connector. The second end connector is engaged with the boom on theother side of the damaged section so that the damaged area is covered bythe extension of the curtain member, whereby the damaged section becomeisolated and sealed from the contaminated water. Both connections areattached by sliding the connectors over the existing boom. Next, theconnectors are locked into place via a lock-pin mechanism. Thisembodiment also creates a tight seal over the damaged area, creating a“patch” to keep out oil contaminants from the protected area. Thedisclosed invention can be used to repair, patch, or reinforce anexisting boom that could subject to the problems such as tears,saturation, or other damage.

Another set of embodiments are used to reconfigure and extend existingoil booms 202 so that they can be used more effectively and more safely.

Referring to FIG. 8 & FIG. 9, a pair of end connectors 208 with acurtain member attached can function as an outer boom which protects atemporary opening made in a segment of the oil containment boom. Such anouter boom is needed in circumstances when, for example, a rookery areais protected by an oil containment boom, but where biologists or othersneed access to the rookery to examine or clean the birds. It would bedangerous to just uncouple the oil boom to create a temporary opening.The contamination on one side of the boom might be sufficient to flowthrough such an opening, and changing winds, waves, and weather mightdrive contamination through. The same danger exists in circumstanceswhen an oil spill is contained within a closed boom, but there is a needto move workboats and barges into and out of the loop. In the describedembodiment, the end connectors 208 are placed on either side of theintended temporary opening, with a curtain member 210 of sufficientlength to encompass a boat, forming an outer boom. After the outer boomis put in place, the existing oil boom 202 can be safely uncoupled toform a temporary opening.

Referring to FIG. 10, an opening and closing gateway can be formedbetween two sections of existing boom 202 running very roughly parallelto each other by placing an end connector 208 on each existing boom 202,with each end connector attached to an end of a curtain member 210,where that curtain member has a standard butt joint which can beuncoupled to allow the curtain member to be used as an opening andclosing gate. The illustrated embodiment uses two such gates separatedby a significant expanse of water. The two gates provide a fail-safeclosure, and the expanse of water between provides both a buffer againstany oil that might breach the outer gate, and a decontamination areawhere any oil that might be clinging to the hull of a boat might bewashed away.

Referring to FIG. 11, in circumstances of an oil spill being containedwithin a closed boom, the wind and current will tend to concentrate theoil at downwind portion of an existing oil boom 202. Such a condition isdesirable because a thicker, concentrated oil is easier to recover. Inorder to prevent such a concentration of oil from dispersing withchanging wind and current, an inner boom can be placed across a portionof the existing boom 202. A pair of end connectors 208 with a properlength of curtain member 210 between forms such an inner boom.

Referring to FIG. 12, while an existing oil boom 202 deployed along ashoreline will protect that shoreline, the oil will still be difficultto collect and recover because wind and current along the shoreline willpush the oil ever farther along the shoreline. An embodiment of theinvention can be used to form an extension boom extending generallyperpendicularly from the existing boom 202. An end connector 208 isattached to the existing boom 202, and a length of curtain member 210 isattached to the end connector 208. The other end of the curtain member210 can be left free and can be anchored to maintain the extension boomin a useful position. With this arrangement, wind and current driven oilmoving along a shoreline can be contained and recovered.

Referring to FIG. 13, in a channel of flowing water having a significantrate of flow, it is not possible to simply place a boom across the wholechannel, because either the boom will be broken or dislodged or the oilwill be pushed over or under the boom. An embodiment of the inventionaddresses that problem by providing one or more transverse extensionbooms that do not extend across the entire channel. Each transverse boomwill collect some oil until the amount of collected oil reaches amaximum and spills over the free end of the transverse boom. A series ofsuch transverse booms can form a cascade, collecting a significantamount of oil. As shown, the free ends of the curtain members 210forming the transverse booms can be anchored in place to maintain properplacement.

Referring to FIG. 14, in another embodiment, an end connector 208 isattached to an existing oil boom 202 across a channel of flowing waterso as to form a chevron or angled boom, which forces oil contaminatestoward the sides or shores. In most circumstances, it will be desirableto anchor the end connector 208 in order to preserve the chevron form.

Many further changes and modifications can be made in the presentinvention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore praythat my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for repairing and reconfiguring an oilcontainment boom, the apparatus comprising: (i) at least one endconnector having an elongated rigid planar body having a pair of planarportions oriented at an acute angle in relation to each other, one ofthe planar portions of the first end connector being provided with aT-shaped slot having a first part extending from the bottom edge of thebody and a second part extending transversely to the first part, thesecond part being formed a distance below an upper edge of the body,where each said end connector is configured to engage the oilcontainment boom when lowered onto the oil containment boom; and (ii) atleast one liquid-impermeable curtain member extending from andengageable with at least one said end connector, the curtain memberhaving sufficient longitudinal and vertical dimensions to function as anextension of the oil containment boom when engaged with the boom.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising two said end connectors, bothattached to an end of one said curtain member of sufficient length toform an outer boom, each said end connector being engaged with the oilcontainment boom such that the oil containment boom can be safelyuncoupled to form a temporary opening in a location encompassed by saidcurtain member forming an outer boom.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising two said end connectors, each engaged with differentoil containment booms running generally parallel each to the other, eachsaid end connector attached to an end of a different said curtain memberof sufficient length to form an outer boom extending a major portion ofthe distance between the generally parallel oil containment booms, wheresaid curtain members form booms running generally parallel and in closeproximity each to the other, forming a gate between the oil containmentbooms.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two said endconnectors, both attached to an end of one of said curtain member ofsufficient length to form an inner boom, each said end connector beingengaged with the oil containment boom such that the portion of the oilcontainment boom enclosing a concentration of wind and current drivenoil can be segregated by said curtain member forming an inner boom. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, where at least one said end connector attachedto an end of a said curtain member is engaged with an oil containmentboom such that said curtain member forms an extension boom extendinggenerally perpendicular to the oil containment boom.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one said end connector attached toan end of a said curtain member, leaving the other end of said curtainmember free, such that said curtain member forms a boom extendinggenerally perpendicular to the oil containment boom across less than thefull width of a channel of flowing water, thereby functioning as acascade.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one endconnector engaged with one oil containment boom anchored across achannel of flowing water such that said oil containment boom is formedinto a chevron shape that deflects and concentrates oil contaminates. 8.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one end connector engagedwith one oil containment boom anchored across a channel of flowingwater, said end connector being anchored in place, such that said oilcontainment boom is formed into a chevron shape that deflects andconcentrates oil contaminates.
 9. A method for repairing andreconfiguring an oil containment boom, the method comprising: (i)providing at least one end connector having an elongated rigid planarbody having a pair of planar portions oriented at an acute angle inrelation to each other, one of the planar portions of the first endconnector being provided with a T-shaped slot having a first partextending from the bottom edge of the body and a second part extendingtransversely to the first part, the second part being formed a distancebelow an upper edge of the body, where each said end connector isconfigured to engage the oil containment boom when lowered onto the oilcontainment boom; (ii) providing at least one liquid-impermeable curtainmember extending from and engageable with at least one said endconnector, the curtain member having sufficient longitudinal andvertical dimensions to function as an extension of the oil containmentboom when engaged with the boom; (iii) engaging at least one said endconnector with a said curtain member; and (iv) engaging at least onesaid end connector engaged with a said curtain member to the oilcontainment boom such that the said curtain member functions as anextension of the oil containment boom.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising two said end connectors, both attached to an end ofone said curtain member of sufficient length to form an outer boom, eachsaid end connector being engaged with the oil containment boom such thatthe oil containment boom can be safely uncoupled to form a temporaryopening in a location encompassed by said curtain member forming anouter boom.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising two said endconnectors, each engaged with different oil containment booms runninggenerally parallel each to the other, each said end connector attachedto an end of a different said curtain member of sufficient length toform an outer boom extending a major portion of the distance between thegenerally parallel oil containment booms, where said curtain membersform booms running generally parallel and in close proximity each to theother, forming a gate between the oil containment booms.
 12. The methodof claim 9, further comprising two said end connectors, both attached toan end of one said curtain member of sufficient length to form an innerboom, each said end connector being engaged with the oil containmentboom such that the portion of the oil containment boom enclosing aconcentration of wind and current driven oil can be segregated by saidcurtain member forming an inner boom.
 13. The method of claim 9, whereat least one said end connector attached to an end of a said curtainmember is engaged with an oil containment boom such that said curtainmember forms an extension boom extending generally perpendicular to theoil containment boom.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising atleast one said end connector attached to an end of a said curtainmember, leaving the other end of said curtain member free, such thatsaid curtain member forms a boom extending generally perpendicular tothe oil containment boom across less than the full width of a channel offlowing water, thereby functioning as a cascade.
 15. The method of claim9, further comprising one end connector engaged with one oil containmentboom anchored across a channel of flowing water such that said oilcontainment boom is formed into a chevron shape that deflects andconcentrates oil contaminates.
 16. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising one end connector engaged with one oil containment boomanchored across a channel of flowing water, said end connector beinganchored in place, such that said oil containment boom is formed into achevron shape that deflects and concentrates oil contaminates.